Tension device for fence-machines



(No Model.) A

w. PBEPBR. TENSION DEVICE POR FENCE MACHINES.

N.'4s1.e7s. I i/patented July'a, 1890.

'f fr f L f cf/15 wf-f- -wI E To all whom it may concern:

g UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

WILLIAM PEEPER, kOF I-IIOKSVILLE, OHIO.

TENSION DEVICE FOR 'FENCE-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,673, dated July 8, 1890.v

Serial No. 337,683. (No model.)

Be it known that l, WILLIAM PEEPER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hicksville, in the county of Defiance and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Tension Device for Fence-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tension devices for that class of fence-machines which are used for constructing fences of wire and slats twisted or woven together; and it has for its obj ect to provide a tension device which shall be simple in construction, durable, and effective in operation.

I'Vith these ends in view the invention consists in the improved construction, arrangement', and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings hereto annexed, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a section of fence in process of construction and illustrating the arrangement of my improved tension mechanism. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the brace-post used in connection with my invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the tension mechanism detached. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section of the latter. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the devices for connecting the fence-wires with the tension mechanism.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

My improved tension mechanism comprises a pair of vertical parallel posts 1 1,which are secured at their lower ends by means of a transverse bolt 2 to a sill 3. The latter is provided near its ends with bails 4 4, connected pivotally to the said sill by means of transverse bolts 5, through which stakes (3 may be driven into the ground for the purpose of retaining said sill and the tension device in position for operation.

A series of drums or rollers 7 7 are mounted between the vertical posts 1 l upon transverse bolts S, the nuts of which 9 may be tightened for the purpose of producing the requisite degree of tension by frictional contact between the ends of the drums or rollers and the adjacent inner sides of the vertical posts l l. Each of the drums or rollers is provided with a staple 10, to which is attached the end of the tension-wire 11, which is wound upon each of the said rollers. Each of the latter is also provided with a series of recesses 12, toV receive the point of a wrench-bar 28, by means of which the said drums or rollers may be rotated for the purpose of Winding the tension-wires and straining the fence-wires, which are connected with the tension-wires, as will be hereinafter described, to the desired degree of tension when the fence is started.

The upper ends of the uprights 1 1 are connected by a transverse bolt 13, upon which is mounted an iron clevis 14, adapted to be connected by means of a chain 15 with a stake driven into the ground at a suitable distance from the tension device for the purpose of maintaining the latter in position during operation.

At the starting-point of the fencel arrange a bracing device comprising a vertical post 17, which is driven to` a suitable depth into the ground, and which is provided at a short distance above the ground with a laterallyextending horizontal arm 18, the outer end of which is in turn connected with the upper end of the post 17 by an inclined brace 19. A block 20, of suitable height, may be arranged under the outer end of the arm 18 for the purpose of retaining the latter in position and preventing the brace-post from sagging. Itis to the post 17 that the fence-wires are attached at the beginning of the fence, and the construction of the said post as herein described enables it to resist a very considerable strain or tension upon the wires without sagging. In case, however, it should be found to sag to any degree it may be restored by prying the horizontal arm 18 in an upward direction and inserting an additional block under its outer end.

21 designates the device which I use for the purpose of connecting the fence-wires 22 with the tension-wires 11. The said device comprises a loop 23, constructed of iron or steel, and terminating at its ends in the fiat plates 24 24, which are provided with perforations 25 to receive a bolt 2G, secured by a nut 27, by means of which they may be tightened together. The connecting device is attached to the tension-Wire by means of its loop 23, and the fence-wires 22 22 are passed between the plates 24 24 on opposite sides of the bolt IOCA 26, and connected together in rear of the latter or between the latter and the loop 23. The bolt 26 is then tightened by means of the nut 27, thus causing the plates 24 24 to clamp the fence-wires 22 securely between their inner faces, thus retaining the said fence-wires and connecting them With the tension-Wires in such a manner that they are not liable to snap or break, no matter to what degree of tension or strain they may be subjected.

Having thus described my invention, what Iolaim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, With a tension device for fence-machines, of a device for connectin g the fence-Wires With the tension-Wires, said-device comprising a metallic loop, the ends of Witnesses:

W. D. WILSON, JOSEPH KERK. 

